As brands look for easily incorporated multi-sensory aspect to add to consumer-facing events, many are opting to host virtual reality activations that provide a full immersion in an experience entirely designed by the brand. From flavor journeys that recreate the cultivation of a popular cheese to in-store sledding stunts that transport shoppers to the Arctic, there are plenty of virtual reality applications that can enhance the in-store experience and add a memorable aspect to any brand pop-up.
Hosted by Reebok at the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville, an athletic virtual reality experience allowed attendees to face off against some of the hockey stars playing in the annual tournament. The interactive experience used the Samsung VR system and used haptic communication to replicate the feeling of being body checked by another player.
24 Virtual Reality Activations
24
Couture VR Experiences
Dior Eyes is a Branded Virtual Reality Headset for Interacting with Clients
23
Experiential Beer Lounges
The Budweiser Beer Garage is the Latest SXSW 2016 Activation from A-B
22
Soda Brand Factory Visits
This Coca-Cola Brazil Campaign Was a Response to Negative Rumors
21
Multi-Sensory Warehouse Installations
'29Rooms' Immerses Refinery29 Readers in Real-World Content
20
In-Store Immersion Pods
The Bompas & Parr 'Taste Pod' Debuted a Thorntons Store in London
19
VR Painting Experiences
McDonald's Helps Fans Unleash Their Inner Artist with VR Art at SXSW
18
Nature Walk Simulators
Merrell's Virtual Reality Experience Highlights the Beauty of Nature
17
Pop-Up Eco-Energy Labs
The Shell Eco-Marathon Experience Took Place in Rotterdam
16
Virtual Reality Santa Visits
The JCPenney VR Santa Experience is Driving In-Store Traffic
15
Virtual Flight Experiences
Stella Artois Presented a VR-Powered Bird's Eye View of Wimbledon
14
Vacation-Inspired VR Events
This Kayak Pop-Up Transported People to Miami Via VR
13
Immersive Whiskey Simulators
Jim Beam's Virtual Reality Simulator Puts You in the Place of Whiskey
12
VR Shopping Campaigns
Westfield's Future Fashion Project Leverages Augmented Reality
11
Virtual Reality Flavor Journeys
The Boursin Sensorium is a VR-Powered 3D Exploration of Cheese
10
VR Cricket Experiences
'A Proper Ball' is a VR Event from Yorkshire Tea and the ECB
9
VR Painting Experiences
Hieronymus Bosch's Artwork Now Immerses the Viewer in Virtual Reality
8
Iconic Sneaker Simulations
In Their Chucks is an Interactive Digital Campaign from Converse
7
Immersive Hockey VR Campaigns
Reebok Hosted a VR Pop-Up at the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend
6
Virtual Reality Studios
Samsung is Opening a VR Studio in New York City
5
Flavor-Controlling Musical Instruments
The Flavor Conductor Uses Sound & Light to Influence Tastes
4
Indoor Sledding Stunts
North Face's Dog Sledding VR Experience Launches a Real-Life Race
3
Sensory Conference Events
Mashable's MashBash is an Interactive Party at South by Southwest
2
Virtual Reality Coffee Tours
This Nescafe 360-Degree Video Showcases International Coffee Growers
1
Festive VR Dining Experiences
TGI Fridays' Holiday Experience Transports Diners to the Arctic
Related Ideas
Exclusive Energy Drink Installations
Red Bull Debuts 'Red Bull Mirage' at Coachella
Immersive Multi-Brand Beauty Pop-Ups
Sephora Partners with Amorepacific for 'Seoul in the City'
Experiential Luggage Events
The BÉIS Bloomingdale’s Takeover Featured a Human Claw Machine
Illusionary Ice-Hotel Beauty Pop-Ups
Lancôme Hosted an Exclusive Rose Ice-Hotel Activation
Luxe Designer Beauty Activations
YSL Launched an Entertainment-Themed Light Club 2.0 Concept
Gen-Z-Targeted Retail Concepts
Urban Outfitters Debuts 'On Rotation' with Nike
Summer Soda Brand Campaigns
Sprite 'Turns Up the Refreshment' With its Immersive Campaign
Immersive Fashion Pop-Ups
SHEIN Launches Multi-Category Toronto Shopping Experience This Spring
Immersive Throwback Sports Events
Michelob ULTRA Launched the 'Run Back the Miracle' Activation
Next-Gen K-Beauty Pop-Ups
MUSKAT Hosted a Five Day Immersive Experience in L.A.
Modern Newsstand Skincare Pop-Ups
Neutrogena x AIRE Health Hosted a Thematic Event
Gen-Z-Focused AR Campaigns
American Eagle Launched an AE Jeans Try-on Haul Lens
Small-Space VR Platforms
Snack VR Operates in Just Five Square Meters
Automated Retail Concepts
VenHub Smart Stores Use Ai & Robotics to Redefine a Shopping Experience
Pop-Up Recovery Shops
Nike’s Soup Shop in China Redefines Comfort Post-Run Experiences
Luxury Menswear Apparel Pop-Ups
Louis Vuitton's Soho Pop-Up Showcases the Fall/Winter 2025 Vision
90's Archival Footwear Pop-Ups
Dr. Martens Hosted a 'Buzz Bus' in NYC
AR-Powered Vending Machines
Snapchat and L’Oréal Made a Gamified Lens to Share Refillable Haircare
Next-Gen Virtual Merch Stores
The Benfica Immersive Store Assists Customers with an AI Concierge
Sensory Supermarket Pop-Ups
ALDI will Host a 'A Very ALDI Holiday' Pop-Up in NYC
High-Profile Live Performance Marketing
Rokid Delighted Folks with a High-Profile Marketing Event
Experiential Convenience Stores
FamilyMart Announced IP-Centered Store Experiences in Japan
Shoppable TV Ads
Samsung and Amazon Enable Remote-Based Shopping Directly on TV
Immersive Luxury Cosmetics Pop-Ups
Louis Vuitton Spotlights La Beauté Louis Vuitton
Nutrition-Forward Treat Shop Pop-Ups
Bloom Nutrition Hosted the Very Successful Treat Shoppe
Interactive Soccer-Themed Brand Activations
Henkel House Was Designed to Delight US Soccer Fans
Dynamic Running-Focused Retail Concepts
Nordstrom Debuts Nike Running @ the Corner
Collaborative Cosmo Experiences
Absolut x Paris Hilton Present the 'Absolut House of Cosmo'
Interactive Motorsport-Inspired Gaming Experiences
EB Games Boasts Mario Kart World in Montreal
Vintage Streetwear Pop-ups
Kronenbourg 1664 Launched a Three-Day Immersive Fashion Experience
Festival Vodka Brand Activations
Absolut Launched Its Heat Haus & New RTD Line at Coachella 2026
Gamified Beauty Pop-Ups
The Players' Lounge Pop-Up by NARS Spotlights Complexion Products
Constellation-Inspired Luxury Pop-Ups
Chanel Ran the Winter Constellation Pop-Up in Toronto
Hydration-Focused Pop-Ups
Thorne Launched Its 'Just Add Water' Activation in NYC
Running-Centric Brand Activations
Hoka Brings Energy and Community Spirit to the Hackney Half
Experiential Beauty Campaigns
Heathrow Airport Launched Immersive Beauty Experiences
Tailored Retail Experiences
Levi’s Reinvents Retail with NextGen Indigo Shopping Experience
Festival-Ready Celebrity DJ Activations
Absolut Vodka Welcomes Paris Hilton at the House of Cosmo
Interactive Advertising Installations
Intimissimi's 'Feel the Billboard' Uses Tactile Advertising
Immersive Recovery Therapies
NeuroAnimation Technology Promotes Motor Recovery & Brain Health
Immersive K-Beauty Pop-Ups
TIRTIR Brings Jeju Matcha Skincare to NYC with a Sensory Experience
Influencer-Focused Retail Stores
Princess Polly is Adding New Stores with Selfie Mirrors, Events
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Mixed-Reality Fitness Applications
Kinneta Showcased a Variety of VR Fitness Apps at AWE 2025
Fashion-Inspired Coffee Events
Starbucks Partnered with NYFW2026 and Hosted a Coffeehouse Rave
Flagship Store Celebrations
Arc'teryx Boasts 2 Day Grand Opening Event for Its Vancouver Location
Sofa-Centered Marketing Activations
This Sofa Club Activation Encouraged Consumers to Take a Seat
Interactive AR Storefronts
Spotselfie AR Meta Stores Tie Real-World Places to Virtual Storefronts
Ai-Powered Metaverse Collaborations
Futureverse Strengthens Its Reebok Impact Collaboration
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Icy Branded Soda Experiences
The Pepsi Put it on Ice Bar Will Offer Festive Drinks
Clinical K-Beauty Pop-Ups
Rejuran Debuts Science-Led Skincare Through a Sephora LA Activation
Data-Driven Digital Experiences
Samsung Unveiled a Color-Changing Installation in London
Paris Running Pop-Ups
New Balance Paris Marathon Weekend Activates Run House Cultural Space
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Experiential Marketing Campaigns
MIKE AND IKE, HOT TAMALES, and Marvel Team Up for Campus Tour
AI-Powered 3D Avatars
AVATAi's Platform Creates Customizable Digital Brand Ambassadors
Co-Branded Game Zones
Hasbro and Amazon are Running the Hasbro Game Zone
Shoppable AR Villages
The Snapchat Winter Village Has Three Immersive Luxury Brand Boutiques
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Interactive Digital QSR Experiences
McDonald's Launches 'McDonaldland VR'
Scan-to-VR Technologies
Teleport by Varjo Creates Digital Twins for Real-World Locations
shop-in-shop streetwear installations
U Urban Outfitters debuts the Vans 'On Rotation' experience
Health-Focused Interactive Pop-Ups
Ancient + Brave Ran the Live Bravely Pop-Up in California
Immersive Gaming Lands
Minecraft World Brings the Game to Life in a Theme Park
AI-Powered Beverage Events
Momentum Worldwide Elevates the New Coke Spiced Event with AI
Motorsport-Inspired Vodka Activations
NEFT Vodka Amplified Its Presence During Formula 1 Weekend
Beauty-Centric Cafe Collabs
Velvet Vault x Brandor Coffee Teamed Up for a Two-Day Event
Interdimensional Gaming Experiences
Alienware x Twitch Transform Grand Central Terminal
Experiential Wellness-Focused Pop-Ups
while on earth™ Partnered with Athletic Brewing Company
Immersive Superhero Attractions
Warner Bros. Gamifies Superman Storytelling with Gameplay
Gamified Sports Rewards
Mountain Dew Links MLB Home Runs to Real-Time Free Drink Rewards
DTC Physical Retail Expansions
Povison Opens Its First Permanent Store in Los Angeles
Extra-Vibrant Soda Packs
Poppi's VIBES Party Pack Gives Favorite Flavors a Limited-Edition Look
Marathon Performance Hubs
The PUMA NITRO Lab Transforms ICA into a Multi-Day Running Activation
Immersive Cereal Cities
Kellogg's Town Welcomes Virtual Visitors in a Breakfast World
Virtual Furniture Pop-Ups
Ikea in Roblox’s Welcome to Bloxburg Offers Furniture in a Digital Store
Flea-Market-Inspired Brand Experiences
CASEKOO Hosted a DIY Experience in Beijing
Branded Retail Installations
Urban Outfitters Recently Spotlighted UGG in Its 'On Rotation' Series
Hypermarket Sleepover Experiences
Carrefour's CarreNight Invites Customers to Stay the Night
World Cup Hospitality Experiences
Stella Artois Turns Bars into Immersive FIFA Viewing Locations
High-Fidelity Space Voyages
Interstellar Arc is an Immersive Space Exploration Experience
Y2K Mall Pop-Ups
Vita Coco's Nostalgia Mall Pop-Up Revives 2000s Mall Culture
Immersive Wellbeing Experiences
Healf's Inaugural Wellness Event is Dubbed Healf Experience (HX25)
Collaborative Esports Tour Events
Intel and Team Liquid are Bringing Experiences Global
Curated Discovery Stores
The Shelf Spotlights Emerging Food, Drink and Wellness Brands
Immersive Muscle Car Experiences
Dodge's Virtual Experience Debuts Its Next-Generation Muscle Cars
Pop-Up Reality TV Bars
Samsung Electronics' Verkligheten is a Destination for Reality TV Fans
Virtual Sneaker Authentication Services
Real Authentication Has Expanded to the Sneaker Market
Experiential Running Shoe Shops
House of SportsShoes Merges Digital Presence & Physical Experience
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Olfacory Experience Metaverses
Guardians of Memories Helps Gen Z & Alpha Discover Fragrance
Subway Station Fashion Takeovers
Reitmans Hosts its Spring 2026 Lower Bay Station Preview
AR-Powered Library Experiences
Snap and LePub Partner with National Library Board of Singapore
Nostalgic Branded Pop-Up Events
AriZona Iced Tea Launches a New York City Pop-Up Event
Retail Innovation-Focused Events
Spar International Hosts the Spar Transform Event to Boost Retail
Holographic Golf Presentations
PXG Uses Live Hologram To Connect CEO With PGA Show
Retro-Inspired Arcade Activations
Hotel X Toronto Revives Its Retro Arcade Installation
Science-Backed Adventure Collaborations
Toyota, AllGear Digital & Immersion Neuroscience Partner
Illusory Ice Cream Pop-Ups
Häagen-Dazs Celebrated St. Patrick's Day with an O'Häagen's
Locker Room Fashion Events
Pacsun Hosted an Event in the Los Angeles Rams Locker Room
Expansive Pride Activations
Smirnoff is Amplifying Its Support for the 2SLGBTQI+ Community
Shoppable Beauty Metaverses
The Fenty Beauty Experience on Roblox Shares an Exclusive Gloss
Wearable Olfactory VR Modules
Institute of Science Tokyo Introduced Scent Headset Prototype
Immersive Virtual Reality Concerts
IMMERSION VR Concert Film Brings Fans Virtually on Stage
Activity Gear Billboards
Ocean Spray's Reclaim Happy Hour Activation Got Australians Up & Moving
Audio Experience-Integrated Beverage Packaging
TapTunes, Inc. Has Introduced Virtual Wax
Sensory Museum Experiences
The Museum of Illusions Features Immersive Attractions
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Presence-Boosting Bar Campaigns
'She's Got a Tab' Revives the SVEDKA Robot & Real-Life Connection
Ice Cream-Branded ASMR Studios
Magnum Canada's ASMR Studio is Unique and Experiential
Immersive Store Screens
Hays Travel Introduces Immersive Technology to Transform Holiday Planning
Immersive Music Festival Stores
BELLA+CANVAS Debuted Museum of Merchandise at Coachella
Wellness Recovery Events
Toronto's The Wellness Club Hosts an Immersive Social Wellness Experience
Interactive Robotic Demonstrations
GoLabs and GOTRAX Partner to Spotlight a New Golf Cart
Protein Cheese Activations
Armstrong Cheese Celebrated its Protein Offerings with a Fridge Pop-Up
Interactive Beauty Destinations
Superdrug Beauty Playgrounds Inspire Fun & Product Discovery
Community-Centered Rooftop Events
Heineken's Rooftop Revival Turned Building Tops into Social Hubs
Interactive Game Advertisements
Samsung Ads GameBreaks Encourage Deeper Engagement
Dynamic In-Game Integrations
Adrenaline Interactive Unveiled Brand Fusion AI
Events-Focused Retail Spaces
The Brick Spot from LEGO Group Features Interactive Party Elements
Fantasy World Theme Parks
Disney Builds Real-Life Arendelle with World of Frozen
Global Product Launch Events
Uber Unveils a New Go-Get Exhibit Featuring Interactive Vignettes
Retailer Music Festival Partnerships
7-Eleven and Live Nation Have Partnered for Festival Season
Measured Retail Expansions
Vessi Launches its Bellevue Store and In-Store Splash Experience
Experiential Sock Pop-Ups
O2's Not a Sock Shop Shared Designs Reflecting Priority Experiences
Personalised Immersive Wellness
Emergence at 113 Spring is a New Multi-Sensorial Wellness Curation
VR Rail Carriages
The St Vincent’s Express Takes Senior Care Residents to 10 Countries
Spatial Bubble Games
Bubbles Everywhere Offers Immersive Bubble Popping on Apple Vision Pro
Interactive Store Hubs
The Samsung Experience Store at Scarborough is a New Hub for Tech Lovers
Gastronomic Immersive Design Installations
V-Zug Hosts the Banquet Echoes Installation
Shoppable Mascot Homes
Pillsbury's Mascot is Inviting Fans into His Modern Doughhouse Revival
Cherry-Themed Bar Pop-Ups
Phlur and Space NK are Treating London to an Experiential Activation
Stadium Stay Experiences
Marriott Bonvoy Introduces a World Cup Final Sleepover Suite for Fans
Immersive Art Travel Programs
Marriott launches artist residency stays
Stadium Fan Festivals
FIFA Turns the LA Coliseum into a Multi-Day Fan Experience Hub
Immersive Fitness Apps
Gym Spatial Brings Immersive Environments To Apple Vision Pro Workouts
Event-Centric Camping Experiences
Huttopia Hosts World Cup Viewing and Activities at Its Campsites
Modular Corporate Workspaces
Oculus Design Studio Unveiled Nestle IT & Digital Hub in Bangalore